Sumit Nagal, India's top ranked singles tennis player beat 31st seed Alexander Bublik in straight sets at the 2024 Australian Open tennis tournament, becoming the first Indian in 35 years to beat a seeded player in a Grand Slam event; the last time this happened was way back in 1989 when Ramesh Krishnan ousted Mats Wilander of Sweden. The bigger story here is how Nagal's win is a classic case of 'mind over matter'. Since the last two years the player has faced a plethora of problems ; from battling Covid twice to a major hip surgery in 2021 and also almost nil balance in his bank account to fund his tournament travel and coaching. In a fervent appeal last year Sumit had sounded out many corporates for sponsoring him. Luckily Gatorade a transnational sports and energy drink manufacturer came to his aid and he could compete in ATP tournaments abroad. It is also to Sumit's credit that despite being vertically challenged (compared to 6 foot plus pros on the circuit) and having no potent serve to speak of, he valiantly fought off three tough competitors in the qualifying rounds to enter the main draw of the Australian Open. Wishing Nagal all the best in bringing further glory to India.
